Dictionaries :: Cousin

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Cousin:

kuz'-'-n (anepsios): Only in Col 4:10, where Mark is said to be "cousin" (Revised Version) to Barnabas, and not as in the King James Version, "sister's son." The renderings "cousin" of the King James Version for suggenes, in Lu 1:36,58 were probably understood at the time of the translation, in the wider, and not in the more restricted, sense of the term, now almost universally prevalent. In view of this the renderings "kinswoman," "kinsfolk" in the Revised Version (British and American) are preferable. As a title of honor and dignity, it occurs in 1 Esdras 4:42, etc.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Cousin:

in Col 4:10 denotes a "cousin" rather than a nephew (AV, "sister's son"). "Cousin" is its meaning in various periods of Greek writers. In this sense it is used in the Sept., in Num 36:11. In later writings it denotes a nephew; hence the AV rendering. As Lightfoot says, there is no reason to suppose that the Apostle would have used it in any other than its proper sense. We are to understand, therefore, that Mark was the cousin of Barnabas.
See SISTER.

Cousin:

in Luk 1:36 (so in the most authentic mss.) and sungenes in Luk 1:58 (plural), AV, "cousin" and "cousins," respectively signify "kinswoman" and "kinsfolk," (RV); so the RV and AV in Luk 2:44; 21:16. The word lit. signifies "born with," i.e., of the same stock, or descent; hence "kinsman, kindred."
See KIN, KINSFOLK, KINSWOMAN.